Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:Q8NEX9 (reductase)
 26,410 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The steroidal aromatase inhibitor, 4-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (4OHA) and its metabolites, 4-hydroxytestosterone (4OHT), 3 beta,17-dihydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-4-one (metabolite A) and 3 alpha, 17-dihydroxy-5 beta-androstan-4-one (metabolite B) were evaluated as inhibitors of the human prostatic 5 alpha-reductase enzyme and for binding to the rat prostatic androgen receptor. 4OHA and 4OHT were weak inhibitors of 5 alpha-reductase with IC50 values of 15-29 microM. Metabolites A and B had no significant inhibitory activity. 4OHA and metabolites A and B bound weakly to the androgen receptor. The binding affinities (RBA) relative to mibolerone (RBA = 100) were 0.085, 0.485 and 0.016, respectively. However, 4OHT (RBA = 75) was a more potent binder than the endogenous androgen 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (RBA = 66). The ability of these metabolites, in particular 4OHT, to bind to the androgen receptor may explain the in vivo androgenic activity of 4OHA.
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PMID:Effects of 4-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione and its metabolites on 5 alpha-reductase activity and the androgen receptor. 128 30

The efficacy of treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is presently under critical consideration. In addition, various new therapeutic modalities are currently being evaluated. When medicamentous treatment is planned, in particular, the natural history of the disease must be carefully considered. Summarized data from several studies indicate that spontaneous improvement of symptoms may occur within 3-6 months, while in most cases deterioration takes a longer period of time. As intraprostatic urethral pressure depends on prostatic volume as well as on tone of the prostate smooth muscle, different medical treatment modalities seem reasonable. The dynamic component of the smooth muscle cells may be influenced by alpha-blockers. Administration of selective alpha 1-blockers will be advantageous as these have fewer side effects. Prostate volume represents the static component, which can be influenced by hormone treatment. Androgen deprivation via surgical castration must now be regarded as of historical interest only. Antiandrogens or LH-RH analogues have undesirable side effects and are expensive, making such treatment unacceptable for routine use. 5 alpha-Reductase inhibitors may emerge as a new treatment form allowing androgen suppression with a low rate of side effects. As it has been proposed that estrogens play an important role in the regulation of prostatic growth, aromatase inhibitors, which inhibit metabolization from androgens to estrogens, may receive special attention in the near future. Based on the theory that androgens may be of special importance for the epithelium, while estrogen action may be concentrated on the stroma, a combined treatment with inhibitors of 5 alpha-reductase plus aromatase may be even more effective.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:[New conservative therapeutic approaches in benign prostatic hyperplasia]. 137 77

A sensitive in vitro 3H2O microassay for aromatase activity was used to evaluate the potency and selectivity of three aromatase inhibitors in mammalian (gerbil) and avian (ring dove) hypothalamus. The steroidal inhibitors, 1,4,6-androstatrien-3,17-dione (ATD) and 4-hydroxy-androstenedione (4-OH-A) were compared with a new non-steroidal imidazole inhibitor, CGS 16949A [4-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo-[1,5-a]-pyridin-5-yl)benzonitrile HCl]. Adult male dove hypothalamic aromatase is highly active [Vmax = 5.3 pmol testosterone (T) converted/h/mg protein], has high substrate binding affinity (Km = 4.0 nM), and direct involvement in control of sexual behaviour. With [1 beta-3H]T or [1 beta-3H]A as substrate, male dove preoptic aromatase activity was inhibited more effectively and selectively by CGS 16949A. Thus, Kis and IC50s for aromatization were approximately 50 times lower for the non-steroidal inhibitor, and inhibition of the other major androgen-metabolizing enzymes (5 alpha/beta-reductase) occurred at concentrations at least one order of magnitude greater than for ATD and 4-OH-A. Neonatal male gerbil hypothalamic aromatase activity (Vmax = 1.3 pmol T converted/h/mg protein) was lower than in the dove. Aromatase inhibition by CGS 16949A is more potent in the neonatal gerbil than in the dove (Kis of 0.03 and 0.60 nM, respectively, with A as substrate). We conclude that the imidazole is an effective aromatase inhibitor in both the adult and developing brain.
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PMID:In vitro potency and selectivity of the non-steroidal androgen aromatase inhibitor CGS 16949A compared to steroidal inhibitors in the brain. 139 Feb 79

Primates are unique in having adrenals that secrete large amounts of the precursor sex steroids (PSS) dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and especially DHEA-sulfate. The adrenal PSS require the action of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/5-ene-4 ene isomerase (3 beta-HSD), 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD), 5 alpha-reductase and/or aromatase to form the androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or the estrogens 17 beta-estradiol and androst-5-ene-diol. Knowing the crucial role of 3 beta-HSD and 17 beta-HSD in sex steroid biosynthesis both in classical as well as in peripheral steroidogenic tissues, we have concentrated our efforts on the elucidation of the molecular structure of these enzyme families. We have thus characterized two types of human 3 beta-HSD cDNA clones and their corresponding genes which encode deduced proteins of 371 and 372 amino acids and share 93.5% homology. Human type I 3 beta-HSD is the almost exclusive mRNA species expressed in the placenta and skin, while human type II is the predominant mRNA species in the adrenals, ovaries and testes. We have also recently elucidated the structure of three types of rat 3 beta-HSD cDNAs which all encode a 372 amino acid protein. The predicted rat type I and II 3 beta-HSD proteins expressed adrenals, gonads and adipose tissue share 94% homology while they share 80% similarity with the liver-specific type III 3 beta-HSD. Transient expression of human type I and II as well as rat type I and II 3 beta-HSD cDNAs in HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells reveals that 3 beta-ol dehydrogenase and 5-ene-4-ene isomerase activities reside within a single protein and that these cDNAs encode functional 3 beta-HSD proteins. The expressed rat type III protein possesses a unique property catalyzing selectively the reduction of 3 beta-androstane 5 alpha-steroids such as DHT. Furthermore, we have also demonstrated by site-directed mutagenesis that the lower activity of expressed rat type II compared to rat type I 3 beta-HSD protein is due to a change of four amino acid residues potentially involved in a membrane-spanning domain. In parallel, we have characterized the complete nucleotide sequence of human 17 beta-HSD cDNA clones encoding a 327 amino acid protein as well as two in tandem 17 beta-HSD genes. Two major 17 beta-HSD mRNA species have been detected in several tissues due to a tissue-specific alternative site of initiation of transcription.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Ontogeny and subcellular localization of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) in the human and rat adrenal, ovary and testis. 139 Feb 95

NADPH cytochrome c (P-450) reductase was purified from human placental microsomes using a combination of affinity and gel filtration chromatography. Affinity chromatography using agarose-hexane-adenosine 2'5 diphosphate resulted in two protein bands being detected by SDS-PAGE of approximate MwS 68 and 75 kDa. Fractions containing the two proteins were pooled, and then resolved using Sephacryl S-200. Both of the purified proteins displayed enzyme activity, measured by their ability to reduce cytochrome c. The 75 kDa protein obtained was used to immunize three female New Zealand white rabbits. The IgG fraction was partly purified from rabbit sera which suppressed placental microsomal NADPH cytochrome c reductase activity by > 80% using 33% ammonium sulphate. The procured antibody suppressed androstenedione aromatase activity in microsomal preparations of human placental and breast adipose tissue, and NADPH cytochrome c reductase activity in prostate (benign and malignant), MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, breast adipose, Hep G2 hepatoma cells and placental microsomal preparations. The extent of NADPH cytochrome c reductase inhibition varied in the order of malignant prostate < benign prostate < MDA < breast adipose < Hep G2 < placenta. The results suggest that human placental NADPH cytochrome c (P-450) reductase shares common antigenic epitopes pertinent to its capability of reducing cytochrome c in all of the above-mentioned tissues. In attempting to associate possible changes in NADPH cytochrome c reductase activity imposed by neoplasia to the obtained immunochemical cross reactivity and enzyme activity results, it was noted that microsomes obtained from MDA cells exhibited enzyme activity significantly less than that of breast adipose microsomes (1.6 and 8.1 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively) and by comparison showed 6% less homology towards the placental antibody. The results obtained for benign and malignant prostate showed no significant difference between the neoplastic states as adjudged by enzyme activity and immunochemical assays.
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PMID:Immunochemical specificity of placental NADPH cytochrome c (P-450) reductase in neoplastic and non-neoplastic human tissue. 141 86

All the classes of hormonal steroids physiologically produced in the body (androgens, estrogens, progestagens, and corticosteroids) are able to exert important effects on the brain, but the mechanisms of their actions are not always well understood. Steroids may interact with intracellular receptors to activate the genome, but some of their effects are probably extragenomic and involve interactions with cellular membranes. Moreover, not all the steroids act always in their native molecular form; a large group of them must actually be transformed into "active" metabolites. This may occur at the level of their respective target structures. For example, androgens are metabolized in the brain into estrogens and into 5 alpha-reduced androgens, like 5 alpha-androstan-17 beta-ol-3-one (dihydrotestosterone; DHT) and 5 alpha-androstan-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol (3 alpha-diol). Progesterone, and possibly corticosteroids, may also be transformed into their corresponding 5 alpha-reduced metabolites. Also the cellular target (neurons and/or glial cells) of the hormonal steroids in the brain is not always clear. This review analyzes in detail one of the two major enzymatic systems that transform steroids in the brain, namely the 5 alpha-reductase-3 alpha-(3 beta)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase pathway. An active 5 alpha-reductase-3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase system is widely distributed in practically all CNS structures in all phases of development. In the brain, this enzymatic system is not regulated by castration or sex steroid administration; furthermore, neural inputs seem to be ineffective at the hypothalamic level. A recent interesting finding is the presence of high concentrations of the 5 alpha-reductase in the white matter. This probably is due to the fact that the white matter is particularly rich in myelin membranes, with which the enzymatic activity appears to be associated. An active 5 alpha-reductase activity has also been shown to be present in peripheral myelinated nerves. The localization in myelin membranes may suggest a possible involvement of 5 alpha-reduced metabolites of the different steroids in the process of myelination. The presence of the 5 alpha-reductase was analyzed in neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes isolated from the brains of male rats, as well as in neurons and glial cells grown in culture. Neurons appear to be more active than glial cells in converting testosterone into DHT. Only neurons possess aromatase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:The 5 alpha-reductase in the brain: molecular aspects and relation to brain function. 146 1

Some of antihypertensives, opiate antagonist and antifungal agent can interfere with sexual function in both men and women. Drug-related effects on sexual function may be difficult to distinguish from the direct action of gonadal function. Clinically well known those agents to have sexual dysfunction were selected and examined the direct effect on rat's testicular steroidogenesis in vitro. Donryu rats were decapitated at 11 weeks old and isolated testes were decapsulated and preincubated with Krebs-Ringer-phosphate buffer (KRP) added with 1 micrograms/flask of LH for 60 min at 37 degrees C. Then, incubation was made with prazosin (1 micrograms), clonidine (5 micrograms), verapamil (10 micrograms), naloxone (5 micrograms) and ketoconazole (150 micrograms), 37 degrees C for 180 min in fresh KRP-buffer, respectively. Steroids were analysed with RIA, and microfluorometry after purification with quantitative thin layer chromatography. Prazosin had a tendency to produce dihydrotestosterone (DHT) indicating a facilitation of 5 alpha-reductase, and clonidine showed a significant production of estradiol (E2) with a slight production of DHT indicating a significant facilitation of aromatase. Verapamil had a action to produce significantly E2 with a slight production of DHT, and naloxone showed a significant production of both DHT and E2. Thus, these two agents showed facilitation of both 5 alpha-reductase and aromatase. Ketoconazole had a significant production of both delta 4-androstenedione (delta 4-A) and E2 while it had a significant inhibition of DHT-production, thus this had a significant production of both aromatase and C17,20-lyase while had a significant inhibitory action of 5 alpha-reductase. These findings indicates that comparatively large doses of central-nervous system depressants are one of the factors that interfere with sexual function, but it is not necessary to have direct action to testicular function, however present study revealed that some of them can cause gonadal damage and consequently progressive loss of libido.
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PMID:Disturbance or relatively important actions of antihypertensives, antifungal agent and opiate antagonist to the testicular steroidogenesis in rat. 150 73

Exemestane (FCE 24304; 6-methylenandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione) is a novel orally active irreversible aromatase inhibitor. Its in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties have been compared to 4-hydroxyandrostenedione (4-OHA). In preincubation studies with human placental aromatase, exemestane, like 4-OHA, showed enzyme inactivating properties with a similar affinity (Ki 26 vs 29 nM) and a lower rate of inactivation (t1/2 13.9 vs 2.1 min). Conversely, when tested in pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin-treated rats, exemestane was more potent in reducing microsomal ovarian aromatase activity than 4-OHA, after both subcutaneous (ED50 1.8 vs 3.1 mg/kg) and oral dosing (ED50 3.7 vs greater than 100 mg/kg). No interference of exemestane on desmolase or 5 alpha-reductase activity was found. The compound did not show any relevant binding affinity to steroidal receptors, but slight binding to the androgen receptor (approximately 0.2% of dihydrotestosterone), like 4-OHA. In the first phase I trial, healthy postmenopausal volunteers were given single oral doses of exemestane, ranging from 0.5 to 800 mg, and plasma [estrone (E1), estradiol (E2) and estrone sulphate (E1S)] and urinary estrogens (E1 and E2) were measured up to 5-8 days. The minimal effective dose in decreasing estrogens was 5 mg. At 25 mg the maximal suppression was observed at day 3: plasma estrogens fell to 35 (E1), 39 (E2) and 28% (E1S), and urinary estrogens fell to 20 (E1) and 25% (E2) of basal values, these effects still persisting on day 5. No effects on plasma levels of cortisol, aldosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, DHEAS, LH and FSH, and no significant adverse events were observed up to the highest tested dose of 800 mg exemestane.
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PMID:Exemestane (FCE 24304), a new steroidal aromatase inhibitor. 152 55

Rainbow trout gonads were subfractionated by differential centrifugation with emphasis on obtaining preparations suitable for the study of steroid-metabolizing enzymes. A fractionation scheme was evaluated for the mature testis and for 3 ovarian developmental stages. The distribution of cell organelles among the fractions was determined using enzyme-markers and electron microscopy. The fractionation scheme was found to be suitable for separating mitochondria and microsomes which were recovered at similar yields to those that had been reported for other extraheptic fish tissues. Fractionation of the mature ovary was fraught with problems probably because a large yolk protein cytosole fraction interfered with the recovery of microsomes. However, no difference in the specific activity of microsomal NADPH-cytochrome c-reductase between the various organ preparations was evident. The testis microsomes contained detectable amounts of cytochrome P450, whereas its content in the various ovary microsomes was too low to be detected. Progesterone 17 alpha-hydroxylase was detected in microsomes from testes and early developing ovaries, and microsomal aromatase activity was present in microsomes from early developing, mature and postovulatory ovaries. Furthermore, the testis microsomes contained a highly active UDP glucuronosyltransferase with testosterone used as a substrate.
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PMID:Subcellular fractionation of rainbow trout gonads with emphasis on microsomal enzymes involved in steroid metabolism. 162 5

Aromatase, an enzyme complex localized in the endoplasmic reticulum of estrogen-producing cells, is composed of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, and aromatase cytochrome P-450 (cytochrome P-450AROM). To define the molecular mechanisms involved in the multifactorial regulation of cytochrome P-450AROM in estrogen-producing cells, we have isolated a cDNA specific for human cytochrome P-450AROM and have used this cDNA to isolate the human cytochrome P-450AROM gene. The cDNA sequence encodes a polypeptide of 503 amino acids and contains--near the carboxy-terminus, a region of high homology with the putative heme-binding regions of other P-450 cytochromes. COS1 cells transfected with an expression plasmid containing the cytochrome P-450AROM cDNA had the capacity to aromatize testosterone, androstenedione and 16 alpha-hydroxyandrostenedione, suggesting that a single polypeptide catalyzes all steps of the aromatization reaction using either of the three major C19-substrates. The human cytochrome P-450AROM gene is greater than 52 kb in size and consists of 10 exons and 9 introns. Hormonally induced changes in aromatase activity of human ovarian granulosa and adipose stromal cells are associated with comparable changes in cytochrome P-450AROM gene expression and synthesis, whereas the reductase component is only modestly affected. Studies are in progress to define the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of cytochrome P-450AROM gene expression in estrogen-producing cells.
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PMID:Use of molecular probes to study regulation of aromatase cytochrome P-450. 169 30


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